My Heart's Desire Read Online Free PDF Page A

obliged, indicating the man in earnest conversation with three ushers.
    "Thanks again," Jarret said. He tipped his hat and started down the steps from the choir loft at the rear of the chapel. His unusually light tread on the stairs was the only thing that could be heard in the silent chapel. Even Hollis Banks had stopped talking as Jarret approached. Guests turned in the pews and watched Jarret's progress down the long center aisle toward the groom. Their heads swiveled as he passed, their eyes darting to one another in question.
    Hollis Banks drew away from his friends. He took a step toward Jarret and stopped and waited.
    Jarret Sullivan had formed a picture of Rennie's intended. Hollis Banks looked nothing like that picture. Hollis was as tall as Jarret, husky, but not heavy. He had powerful shoulders, a broad face, and a wide chest. His dark brown hair was clipped in the latest style, parted in the middle, and slicked back with Elgin's Hair Tonic. His mustache was neatly waxed, and his side-whiskers followed his strong jawline. He was wearing a black morning coat, dove gray trousers, and shoes almost as shiny as his hair. His mouth was set tightly. His dark eyes were hard. He did not seem the sort of man one would describe as a milksop.
    What had Jay Mac been thinking? Jarret wondered. But he knew. John MacKenzie Worth wanted this wedding stopped, and he was not above lying to get his way. The corner of Jarret's mouth curved in a self-mocking smile. Ten thousand dollars had seemed like a lot of money in Jay Mac's office. He should have held out for more. He bet Jay Mac would have paid it.
    "Hollis Banks?" Jarret said, stopping less than two feet in front of the man.
    Banks nodded curtly. His shoulders were set squarely, his feet planted firmly. His narrowed eyes held both curiosity and disdain. They darted over Jarret, taking in the wrinkled and dusty clothes, the tear in the jeans at the knee, the worn boots and sweat-banded hat. The outline of the gun was unmistakable under the duster.
    Jarret was unmoved by the censure he saw on Banks' broad features. He nudged his hat upward with a forefinger. "Sorry about the interruption. Is there somewhere we can talk privately?"
    Banks' eyes widened slightly, his surprise evident. "You do understand you're interrupting a wedding?"
    Jarret looked around as if he'd taken no account of his surroundings before. The congregation was sitting on the edge of the pews, their ears cocked toward the altar rail, as they hoped to hear some portion of the conversation. There were vases of orange blossoms and baby's breath decorating the windowsills. The ushers behind Hollis were dressed similarly to the groom, their crisp breast pocket handkerchiefs folded in a triangle. The priest was facing the guests; the altar boy had just finished lighting the candles. He turned back to Hollis. "By God, you're right. Except for the absent bride, it has all the earmarks of a wedding," he said.
    A ruddy flush started at Hollis's neck and passed over his face. "I do not suffer fools gladly," he said tightly. "State your business and leave."
    "Here?"
    Hollis hesitated. "Oh, very well." He glanced at the ushers behind him. "Give us three minutes." He turned and headed for a door off to the right of the chapel.
    Jarret grinned at the ushers. "I gather I'm expected to follow." He fell in step behind Hollis.
    When they were alone in the small room where the altar boys put on their robes and the priest made last minute notations on his sermon, Banks turned sharply on Jarret. "Your name and your business?"
    Jarret was slow to respond, glancing around the room as if time were of no account. Eventually his gaze settled on Banks, and he offered with quiet purpose, "Jarret Sullivan. I've just come from a meeting with Jay Mac. I'm prepared to offer you one thousand dollars to leave Rennie at the altar."
    For a moment Hollis Banks was struck dumb. His mouth parted slightly, his eyes widened, and no hint of comprehension